2019 Nissan Armada

2019 Lincoln Navigator

Safety

For enhanced safety, the front and middle seat shoulder belts of the Nissan Armada are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Lincoln Navigator doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Armada are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Navigator doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Armada has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Navigator doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Armada (except SV) offers optional Backup Collision Intervention that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Navigator doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Nissan Armada is safer than the Lincoln Navigator:

Warranty

There are over 27 percent more Nissan dealers than there are Lincoln dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Armada’s warranty.

Reliability

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ December 2018 Auto Issue reports that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 6 places higher in reliability than Lincoln.

Engine

As tested in Motor Trend the Nissan Armada is faster than the Lincoln Navigator:

Armada

Navigator

Zero to 30 MPH

2.2 sec

2.3 sec

Zero to 60 MPH

6.2 sec

6.8 sec

Zero to 80 MPH

10.8 sec

11.4 sec

Passing 45 to 65 MPH

3.4 sec

3.5 sec

Quarter Mile

14.8 sec

15.2 sec

Speed in 1/4 Mile

94 MPH

91.7 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Nissan Armada uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Navigator requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Armada has 2.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Navigator (26 vs. 23.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

The Armada stops shorter than the Navigator:

Armada

Navigator

60 to 0 MPH

123 feet

132 feet

Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The Armada has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Navigator doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Armada has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Navigator, it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

Suspension and Handling

The rear suspension of the Armada uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Navigator, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The Armada has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Navigator doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

Towing

The Armada’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Navigator’s (8500 vs. 6200 pounds).

Ergonomics

The Armada’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge – which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Navigator does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Armada has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and fuel theft. The Navigator doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Armada is less expensive to operate than the Navigator because it costs $45 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Armada than the Navigator, including $435 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Nissan Armada will be $16517 to $20645 less than for the Lincoln Navigator.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Nissan Armada, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Nissan Armada outsold the Lincoln Navigator/Navigator L by 83% during 2018.